ABSTRACT
Maxine, aged 28 years, has breast cancer that has spread to her spine and liver. At her first appointment with her oncologist, she is helped to draw up her end-of-life directive. “Most people”, the specialist explains, “say that if they reach a point in the illness when their brain is impaired and there is no likelihood of improving their quality of life, then nothing should be done to keep them artificially alive, through machines like respirators. It’s essential, Maxine, that I know what you want done if we reach that point.”
